traits.build Data Model
Release 1.1.0
- Latest version:
- https://w3id.org/traits.build/index.html
- This version:
- https://w3id.org/traits.build/release/1.1.0/index.html
- Previous version:
- https://w3id.org/traits.build/release/1.0.0/index.html
- Authors:
- Elizabeth Wenk, Daniel Falster
- Contributors:
- David Coleman, Sophie Yang
- Serializations:
-
- License:
-
- Source:
-
- Contributing:
-
- Cite as:
- Wenk, Elizabeth H., Payal Bal, David Coleman, Rachael V. Gallagher, Sophie Yang, and Daniel S. Falster. “Traits.Build: A Data Model, Workflow and R Package for Building Harmonised Ecological Trait Databases.” bioRxiv, February 12, 2024. doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.11.579848
Abstract
This document presents the traits.build data model (data standard), formally published within the w3id.org/traits.build namespace. The traits.build ontology documents the output structure of a database built using the {traits.build} R package. It terms are both the output variables in each of the databases’s relational tables and additional conceptual terms inherent to the database structure. The ontology describes these terms and the semantic relationships between them. The traits.build data model adheres to the OBOE ontology and draws upon previously published terms whenever possible, especially DarwinCore and the Ecological Trait-data Standard.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- traits.build data model: The terms within the formal traits.build ontology
- Acknowledgements
1. Introduction
A database must be accompanied by a published data model to be: 1) efficiently and accurately interpreted and used by researchers; and 2) easily integrated with other databases. A published data model should be machine-readable for easy integration into future data products, yet also tractable to human readers. A data model (a.k.a. data standard, ontology) must document the meanings behind each database output variable and should also record the semantic relationships between columns. For instance, within the traits.build ontology, indicating that observation_id is an identifier for a unique observation.
To the extent possible, a data model should draw upon previously published vocabularies and ontologies, explicitly indicating when terms within the data model are identical to those used by other databases (or other bioinformatics outputs). For instance, the traits.build data standard maps terms related to taxonomy and species occurrences to DarwinCore and terms related to trait measurements to the Ecological Trait-data Standard. The semantic relationships between terms adhere to the OBOE ontology, a generic relational ontology developed explicitly for documenting ecological trait observations and the context properties that are essential to document for ecological data. It further draws upon properties defined by the Semanticscience Integrated Ontology (https://bioportal.bioontology.org/ontologies/SIO) to describe relationships between terms.
Within the traits.build ontology, there are 5 main categories of terms, differentiated based on whether they are database tables, rows, or columns:
- Database tables: The relational tables (traits, contexts, locations, methods, taxa, contributors, taxonomic_updates). These terms are all mapped as having the property computational entity = database table
- Database table columns: The columns within these relational tables, all mapped as being organised into one (or more) of the tables using dwc-attributes:organisedInClass. These terms are all mapped as having the property computational entity = database column
- Database table entries: Single, implicitly structured data items in a table. These terms are all types of oboe-core:Entity, objects that are the foci for an oboe-core:observation. These terms are all mapped as having the property computational entity = database entry
- Clusters of rows within a database table: Collections of rows within a table that represent either observations or observation collections. These terms are all mapped as having the property computational entity = database table.
- Individual rows within a database table: Individual rows within a table that are measurements. These terms are all mapped as having the property computational entity = database row.
2. Traits.build data model
The traits.build resource
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build |
| description | The traits.build ontology documents the output structure of a database built using the {traits.build} R package. |
| license | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| publisher | https://austraits.org/ |
| type | concept scheme |
| label | traits.build |
| has top concept | https://w3id.org/traits.build-database |
| creator | Daniel Falster |
| creator | Elizabeth Wenk |
| creator | Sophie Yang |
| created | 01 February 2024 |
Database
A traits.build database
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-database |
| alternative label | traits.build_database |
| computational entity | database |
| label | traits.build database |
| description | A database of 13 relational tables build using the {traits.build} R-package for harmonizing trait data. |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | traits.build |
| is top concept in scheme | traits.build |
Database Tables
The traits.build output tables
traits table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-traits |
| preferred label | traits table |
| alternative label | traits |
| description | A table containing measurements of traits. |
| comment | Includes information that must be recorded at the Measurement or Observation level. |
| computational entity | database table |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| has exact match | Traitdata |
| has related match |
MeasurementOrFact Occurrence |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
locations table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-locations |
| preferred label | locations table |
| alternative label | locations |
| description |
A table containing observations of location/site characteristics associated with information in traits. Cross referencing between the two dataframes is possible using combinations of the variables dataset_id, location_name.
|
| comment | Includes information about Location properties. |
| computational entity | database table |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| has related match | Occurrence |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
contexts table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-contexts |
| preferred label | contexts table |
| alternative label | contexts |
| description |
A table containing observations of contextual characteristics associated with information in traits. Cross referencing between the two dataframes is possible using combinations of the variables dataset_id, link_id, and link_vals.
|
| computational entity | database table |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
methods table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-methods |
| preferred label | methods table |
| alternative label | methods |
| description |
A table containing details on methods with which data were collected, including time frame and source. Cross referencing with the traits table is possible using combinations of the variables dataset_id, trait_name.
|
| computational entity | database table |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| has related match | MeasurementOrFact |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
excluded data table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-excluded_data |
| preferred label | excluded data table |
| alternative label | excluded_data |
| description |
A table of data that did not pass quality tests and so were excluded from the master dataset. The structure is identical to that presented in the traits table, only with an extra column called error indicating why the record was excluded. Common reasons are missing_unit_conversions, missing_value, and unsupported_trait_value.
|
| computational entity | database table |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
taxonomic updates table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-taxonomic_updates |
| preferred label | taxonomic updates table |
| alternative label | taxonomic_updates |
| description |
A table of all taxonomic changes implemented in the construction of AusTraits. Changes are determined by comparing the originally submitted taxon name against the taxonomic names listed in the taxonomic reference files, best placed in a subfolder in the config folder . Cross referencing with the traits table is possible using combinations of the variables dataset_id and taxon_name.
|
| computational entity | database table |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
taxa table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-taxa |
| preferred label | taxa table |
| alternative label | taxa |
| description |
A table containing details on taxa associated with information in traits. Whenever possible, this information is sourced from curated taxon lists that include identifiers for each taxon. The information compiled in this table is released under a CC-BY3 license. Cross referencing between the two dataframes is possible using combinations of the variable taxon_name.
|
| computational entity | database table |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| has exact match | Taxon |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
contributors table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-contributors |
| preferred label | contributors table |
| alternative label | contributors |
| description | A table of people contributing to each study. |
| computational entity | database table |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
identifiers table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-identifiers |
| preferred label | identifiers table |
| alternative label | identifiers |
| description |
A table containing details on identifiers that cross-references observations between the two dataframes using combinations of the variables dataset_id and observation_id.
|
| comment | Includes information about specimen identifiers |
| computational entity | database table |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| created | 8-Jun-25 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
sources table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-sources |
| preferred label | sources table |
| alternative label | sources |
| description | A list containing citation details for all database sources. |
| computational entity | database table |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
definitions table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-definitions |
| preferred label | definitions table |
| alternative label | definitions |
| description | A list containing trait concept descriptions used to build the database. |
| computational entity | database table |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| has exact match | Traitdata |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
schema
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-schema |
| preferred label | schema |
| alternative label | schema |
| description | A copy of the schema for all tables and terms. Information included here was used to process data and generate any documentation for the study. |
| computational entity | metadata |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
metadata table
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-metadata |
| preferred label | metadata table |
| alternative label | metadata |
| description | A list containing database metadata. |
| computational entity | metadata |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| has close match | Metadata |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
build info
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#traits.build-build_info |
| preferred label | build info |
| alternative label | build_info |
| description | A description of the computing environment used to create this version of the dataset, including version number, git commit and R session_info. |
| computational entity | metadata |
| organizedInClass | traits.build database |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
Database Table Columns
Columns within the traits.build output tables
traits table
dataset id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#dataset_id |
| preferred label | dataset id |
| alternative label | dataset_id |
| description |
Primary identifier for each study contributed to AusTraits, most often these are scientific papers, books, or online resources. By default this should be the name of the first author and year of publication, e.g. Falster_2005.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table locations table contexts table methods table taxonomic updates table contributors table sources table identifiers table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | observations from dataset |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
taxon name
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#taxon_name |
| preferred label | taxon name |
| alternative label | taxon_name |
| description | Scientific name of the taxon on which traits were sampled, without authorship. When possible, this is the currently accepted (botanical) or valid (zoological) scientific name, but might also be a higher taxonomic level. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table taxa table taxonomic updates table |
| has close match | acceptedNameUsage |
| has broader |
label preferred label |
| has unique identifier | taxon id |
| is unique identifier for | observations of taxon |
| has basis |
aligned name original taxon name |
| has property |
taxonomic dataset taxon rank taxonomic status |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
observation id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observation_id |
| preferred label | observation id |
| alternative label | observation_id |
| description |
A unique integral identifier for the observation, where an observation is all measurements made on an individual at a single point in time. It is important for joining traits coming from the same observation_id. Within each dataset, observation_id’s are unique combinations of taxon_name, population_id, individual_id, and temporal_context_id.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table identifiers table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | observation |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
trait name
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#trait_name |
| preferred label | trait name |
| alternative label | trait_name |
| description |
Name of the trait sampled. Allowable values specified in the table definitions.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table methods table definitions table |
| has exact match |
alternative label label |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
value
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#trait_value |
| preferred label | value |
| alternative label | value |
| description | The measured value of a trait. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has exact match | traitValue |
| has broader |
Measured Value measurementValue |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
unit
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#unit |
| preferred label | unit |
| alternative label | unit |
| description | Units of the sampled trait value after aligning with AusTraits standards. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has exact match |
Unit traitUnit |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
entity type
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#entity_type |
| preferred label | entity type |
| alternative label | entity_type |
| description | A categorical variable specifying the entity corresponding to the trait values recorded. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
value type
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#value_type |
| preferred label | value type |
| alternative label | value_type |
| description | A categorical variable describing the statistical nature of the trait value recorded. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has exact match | Base Characteristic Qualifier |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
basis of value
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#basis_of_value |
| preferred label | basis of value |
| alternative label | basis_of_value |
| description | A categorical variable describing how the trait value was obtained. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has exact match | Measurement Type |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
replicates
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#replicates |
| preferred label | replicates |
| alternative label | replicates |
| description |
Number of replicate measurements that comprise a recorded trait measurement. A numeric value (or range) is ideal and appropriate if the value type is a mean, median, min or max. For these value types, if replication is unknown the entry should be unknown. If the value type is raw_value the replicate value should be 1. If the trait is categorical or the value indicates a measurement for an entire species (or other taxon) replicate value should be .na.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has exact match | individualCount |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
basis of record
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#basis_of_record |
| preferred label | basis of record |
| alternative label | basis_of_record |
| description | A categorical variable specifying from which kind of specimen traits were recorded. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has close match | basisOfRecord |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
life stage
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#life_stage |
| preferred label | life stage |
| alternative label | life_stage |
| description |
A field to indicate the life stage or age class of the entity measured. Standard values are adult, sapling, seedling and juvenile.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has exact match | lifeStage |
| has broader |
Measured Value measurementValue |
| characteristic for | observation of entity context |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
population id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#population_id |
| preferred label | population id |
| alternative label | population_id |
| description | A unique integer identifier for a population, where a population is defined as individuals growing in the same location (location_id /location_name) and plot (plot_context_id, a context category) and being subjected to the same treatment (treatment_context_id, a context category). |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | observations of population |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
individual id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#individual_id |
| preferred label | individual id |
| alternative label | individual_id |
| description | A unique integer identifier for an individual, with individuals numbered sequentially within each dataset by taxon by population grouping. Most often each row of data represents an individual, but in some datasets trait data collected on a single individual is presented across multiple rows of data, such as if the same trait is measured using different methods or the same individual is measured repeatedly across time. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | observations of individual |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
repeat measurements id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#repeat_measurements_id |
| preferred label | repeat measurements id |
| alternative label | repeat_measurements_id |
| description | A unique integer identifier for repeat measurements of a trait that comprise a single observation, such as a response curve. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for |
observations of individual collection date |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
temporal context id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#temporal_context_id |
| preferred label | temporal context id |
| alternative label | temporal_context_id |
| description | A unique integer identifier assigned where repeat observations are made on the same individual (or population, or taxon) across time. The identifier links to specific information in the context table. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table contexts table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | measurement of temporal context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
source id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#source_id |
| preferred label | source id |
| alternative label | source_id |
| description | For datasets that are compilations, an identifier for the original data source. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table sources table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | observations from source |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
location id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#location_id |
| preferred label | location id |
| alternative label | location_id |
| description | A unique integer identifier for a location, with locations numbered sequentially within a dataset. The identifier links to specific information in the location table. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table locations table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | observations at location |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
entity context id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#entity_context_id |
| preferred label | entity context id |
| alternative label | entity_context_id |
| description | A unique integer identifier indicating specific contextual properties of an individual, possibly including the individual’s sex or caste (for social insects). |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table contexts table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | measurement of entity context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
plot context id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#plot_context_id |
| preferred label | plot context id |
| alternative label | plot_context_id |
| description | A unique integer identifier for a plot, where a plot is a distinct collection of organisms within a single geographic location, such as plants growing on different aspects or blocks in an experiment. The identifier links to specific information in the context table. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table contexts table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | measurement of plot context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
treatment context id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#treatment_context_id |
| preferred label | treatment context id |
| alternative label | treatment_context_id |
| description | A unique integer identifier for a treatment, where a treatment is any experimental manipulation to an organism’s growing/living conditions. The identifier links to specific information in the context table. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table locations table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | measurement of treatment context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
collection date
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#collection_date |
| preferred label | collection date |
| alternative label | collection_date |
| description |
Date sample was taken, in the format yyyy-mm-dd, yyyy-mm or yyyy, depending on the resoluton specified. Alternatively an overall range for the study can be indicating, with the starting and ending sample date sepatated by a /, as in 2010-10/2011-03
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has exact match | eventDate |
| has broader |
Measured Value measurementValue |
| characteristic for | observation |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | date |
measurement remarks
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#measurement_remarks |
| preferred label | measurement remarks |
| alternative label | measurement_remarks |
| description | Brief comments or notes accompanying the trait measurement. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | traits table |
| has broader | comment |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
method id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#method_id |
| preferred label | method id |
| alternative label | method_id |
| description | A unique integer identifier to distinguish between multiple sets of methods used to measure a single trait within the same dataset. The identifier links to specific information in the methods table. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table methods table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | methods |
| is specialisation of | methods |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
method context id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#method_context_id |
| preferred label | method context id |
| alternative label | method_context_id |
| description | A unique integer identifier indicating a trait is measured multiple times on the same entity, with different methods used for each entry. This field is only used if a single trait is measured using multiple methods within the same dataset. The identifier links to specific information in the context table. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table contexts table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
original taxon name
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#original_name |
| preferred label | original taxon name |
| alternative label | original_name |
| description | Name given to taxon in the original data supplied by the authors. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
traits table taxonomic updates table |
| has broader |
label preferred label |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
locations table
location name
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#location_name |
| preferred label | location name |
| alternative label | location_name |
| description | The location name used by the data contributor or a generic location name designated by AusTraits when one is not provided. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | locations table |
| has broader |
label preferred label |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
location property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#location_property |
| preferred label | location property |
| alternative label | location_property |
| description |
The location characteristic being recorded. The name should include units of measurement, e.g. MAT (C). Ideally we have at least the following variables for each location, longitude (deg), latitude (deg), description.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | locations table |
| has broader | Characteristic |
| has value | location property value |
| characteristic for | location |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
location property value
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#locations_value |
| preferred label | location property value |
| alternative label | value |
| description | The measured value of a location property. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | locations table |
| has broader |
Measured Value measurementValue |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
latitude (deg)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#latitude |
| preferred label | latitude (deg) |
| alternative label | latitude |
| description | The geographic latitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in geodeticDatum) of the geographic center of a Location. Positive values are north of the Equator, negative values are south of it. Legal values lie between -90 and 90, inclusive. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | locations table |
| has exact match | Decimal Latitude |
| has broader |
Measured Value measurementValue |
| characteristic for | location |
| is specialisation of | location property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | decimal |
longitude (deg)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#longitude |
| preferred label | longitude (deg) |
| alternative label | longitude |
| description | The geographic longitude (in decimal degrees, using the spatial reference system given in dwc:geodeticDatum) of the geographic center of a dcterms:Location. Positive values are east of the Greenwich Meridian, negative values are west of it. Legal values lie between -180 and 180, inclusive. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | locations table |
| has exact match | Decimal Longitude |
| has broader |
Measured Value measurementValue |
| characteristic for | location |
| is specialisation of | location property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | decimal |
elevation (m)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#elevation |
| preferred label | elevation (m) |
| alternative label | elevation |
| description | The elevation above mean sea level in meters. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | locations table |
| has exact match | Verbatim Elevation |
| has broader |
Measured Value measurementValue |
| characteristic for | location |
| is specialisation of | location property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | decimal |
contexts table
context property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#context_property |
| preferred label | context property |
| alternative label | context_property |
| description |
The contextual characteristic being recorded. If applicable, name should include units of measurement, e.g. CO2 concentration (ppm).
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contexts table |
| has exact match | context property value |
| has broader | Characteristic |
| characteristic for | context |
| has annotation | context property category |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
context property category
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#contexts_category |
| preferred label | context property category |
| alternative label | category |
| description |
The category of context property, with options being plot, treatment, individual_context, temporal and method.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contexts table |
| has broader | scope note |
| is annotation of | context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
context property value
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#contexts_value |
| preferred label | context property value |
| alternative label | value |
| description | The measured value of a context property. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contexts table |
| has broader |
Measured Value measurementValue |
| measurement for | context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
context property value description
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#contexts_description |
| preferred label | context property value description |
| alternative label | description |
| description | Description of a specific context property value. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contexts table |
| has broader | description |
| refers to | context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
context propety link id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#contexts_link_id |
| preferred label | context propety link id |
| alternative label | link_id |
| description |
Variable indicating which identifier column in the traits table contains the specified link_vals.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contexts table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| refers to |
treatment context id plot context id entity context id temporal context id method context id |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
context propety link vals
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#contexts_link_vals |
| preferred label | context propety link vals |
| alternative label | link_vals |
| description |
Unique integer identifiers that link between identifier columns in the traits table and the contextual properties/values in the contexts table.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contexts table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for |
treatment context property plot context property entity context property temporal context property method context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | integer |
treatment context property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#treatment_context_property |
| preferred label | treatment context property |
| alternative label | treatment_context_property |
| description | A context characteristic indicating stratified treatments that might affect the trait values measured on an individual or population-level entity. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contexts table |
| has exact match | context property value |
| has broader | Characteristic |
| has unique identifier | treatment context id |
| is specialisation of | context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
plot context property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#plot_context_property |
| preferred label | plot context property |
| alternative label | plot_context_property |
| description | A context characteristic indicating stratified variation within a location that might affect the trait values measured on an individual or population-level entity. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contexts table |
| has exact match | context property value |
| has broader | Characteristic |
| has unique identifier | plot context id |
| is specialisation of | context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
entity context property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#entity_context_property |
| preferred label | entity context property |
| alternative label | entity_context_property |
| description | A context characteristic indicating stratified variation across individuals or populations might affect the trait values measured. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contexts table |
| has exact match | context property value |
| has broader | Characteristic |
| has unique identifier | entity context id |
| is specialisation of | context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
temporal context property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#temporal_context_property |
| preferred label | temporal context property |
| alternative label | temporal_context_property |
| description | A context characteristic indicating stratified variation across time might affect the trait values measured. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contexts table |
| has exact match | context property value |
| has broader | Characteristic |
| has unique identifier | temporal context id |
| is specialisation of | context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
method context property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#method_context_property |
| preferred label | method context property |
| alternative label | method_context_property |
| description | A context characteristic indicating stratified variation in the protocol used to measure traits might affect the trait values measured. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contexts table |
| has exact match | context property value |
| has broader | Characteristic |
| has unique identifier | method context id |
| is specialisation of | context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
methods table
methods
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#methods_methods |
| preferred label | methods |
| alternative label | methods |
| description | A textual description of the methods used to collect the trait data. Whenever available, methods are taken near-verbatim from the referenced source. Methods can include descriptions such as ‘measured on botanical collections’, ‘data from the literature’, or a detailed description of the field or lab methods used to collect the data. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | methods table |
| has close match | Protocol |
| has broader | Protocol |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
dataset description
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#methods_description |
| preferred label | dataset description |
| alternative label | description |
| description | A 1-2 sentence description of the purpose of the study. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | methods table |
| has exact match | datasetDescription |
| has broader | description |
| refers to | methods |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
dataset sampling strategy
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#sampling_strategy |
| preferred label | dataset sampling strategy |
| alternative label | sampling_strategy |
| description | When available, this information is lifted verbatim from a published manuscript. For preserved specimens, this field ideally indicates which records were ‘sampled’ to measure a specific trait. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | methods table |
| has exact match | Sampling Protocol |
| refers to | observations from dataset |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
source primary key
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#source_primary_key |
| preferred label | source primary key |
| alternative label | source_primary_key |
| description |
Citation key for the primary source in sources. The key is typically formatted as Surname_year.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | methods table |
| has exact match | dataset id |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | source primary citation |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
source primary citation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#source_primary_citation |
| preferred label | source primary citation |
| alternative label | source_primary_citation |
| description | Citation for the primary source. This detail is generated from the primary source in the metadata. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | methods table |
| has broader | bibliographic citation |
| has unique identifier | source primary key |
| cites | dataset |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
source secondary key
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#source_secondary_key |
| preferred label | source secondary key |
| alternative label | source_secondary_key |
| description |
Citation key for the secondary source in sources. The key is typically formatted as Surname_year.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | methods table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | source secondary citation |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
source secondary citation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#source_secondary_citation |
| preferred label | source secondary citation |
| alternative label | source_secondary_citation |
| description | Citations for the secondary source. This detail is generated from the secondary source in the metadata. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | methods table |
| has broader | bibliographic citation |
| has unique identifier | source secondary key |
| cites | dataset |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
source original dataset key
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#source_original_dataset_key |
| preferred label | source original dataset key |
| alternative label | source_original_dataset_key |
| description |
Citation key for the original dataset_id in sources, for compilations. The key is typically formatted as Surname_year.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | methods table |
| has exact match | source id |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | source original dataset citation |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
source original dataset citation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#source_original_dataset_citation |
| preferred label | source original dataset citation |
| alternative label | source_original_dataset_citation |
| description | Citations for the original dataset_id in sources, for compilationse. This detail is generated from the original source in the metadata. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | methods table |
| has broader | bibliographic citation |
| has unique identifier | source original dataset key |
| cites | observations from source |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
data collectors
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#data_collectors |
| preferred label | data collectors |
| alternative label | data_collectors |
| description | Person contributing to a dataset as a data collector. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
contributors table methods table |
| has exact match | Data Collector |
| has broader | contributor |
| has unique identifier |
ORCID identifier given name last name |
| is specialisation of | contributor |
| has annotation |
affiliation additional role |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
assistants
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#assistants |
| preferred label | assistants |
| alternative label | assistants |
| description | People who played a more minor role in data collection for the study. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | methods table |
| has exact match | Related Person |
| has broader | contributor |
| is specialisation of | contributor |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
dataset curators
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#dataset_curators |
| preferred label | dataset curators |
| alternative label | dataset_curators |
| description | Database team member(s) who contacted the data collectors and added the study to the database repository. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | methods table |
| has exact match | Data Curator |
| has broader | contributor |
| is specialisation of | contributor |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
contributor
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#contributor |
| preferred label | contributor |
| alternative label | contributor |
| description | A person contributing to a dataset. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass |
contributors table methods table |
| has exact match | contributor |
| refers to | observations from dataset |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
taxonomic updates table
aligned name
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#aligned_name |
| preferred label | aligned name |
| alternative label | aligned_name |
| description |
The taxon name without authorship after implementing automated syntax standardisation and spelling changes as well as manually encoded syntax alignments for this taxon in the metadata file for the corresponding dataset_id. This name has not yet been matched to the currently accepted (botanical) or valid (zoological) taxon name in cases where there are taxonomic synonyms, isonyms, orthographic variants, etc.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxonomic updates table |
| has broader |
label preferred label |
| has basis | original taxon name |
| is base for | taxon name |
| has property | taxonomic resolution |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
taxonomic resolution
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#taxonomic_resolution |
| preferred label | taxonomic resolution |
| alternative label | taxonomic_resolution |
| description | The rank of the most specific taxon name (or scientific name) to which a submitted orignal name resolves. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxonomic updates table |
| has related match | Taxon Rank |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
taxa table
taxonomic dataset
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#taxonomic_dataset |
| preferred label | taxonomic dataset |
| alternative label | taxonomic_dataset |
| description | Name of the taxonomy (tree) that contains this concept. ie. APC, AusMoss etc. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has exact match | Nomenclatural Code |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
taxon rank
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#taxon_rank |
| preferred label | taxon rank |
| alternative label | taxon_rank |
| description | The taxonomic rank of the most specific name in the scientific name. |
| comment | This is to clarify cases where information is not given on a species level. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has exact match | Taxon Rank |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
trinomial
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#trinomial |
| preferred label | trinomial |
| alternative label | trinomial |
| description |
The infraspecific taxon name match for an original name. This column is assigned na for taxon name that are at a broader taxonomic_resolution.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has related match | Infraspecific Epithet |
| has broader |
label preferred label |
| is identifier for | taxon |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
binomial
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#binomial |
| preferred label | binomial |
| alternative label | binomial |
| description |
The species-level taxon name match for an original name. This column is assigned na for taxon name that are at a broader taxonomic_resolution.
|
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has related match | Specific Epithet |
| has broader |
label preferred label |
| is identifier for | taxon |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
genus
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#genus |
| preferred label | genus |
| alternative label | genus |
| description | Genus of the taxon without authorship. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has exact match | Genus |
| has broader |
label preferred label |
| is identifier for | taxon |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
family
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#family |
| preferred label | family |
| alternative label | family |
| description | Family of the taxon. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has exact match | Family |
| has broader |
label preferred label |
| is identifier for | taxon |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
taxon distribution
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#taxon_distribution |
| preferred label | taxon distribution |
| alternative label | taxon_distribution |
| description | Known distribution of the taxon, by Australian state. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
establishment means
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#establishment_means |
| preferred label | establishment means |
| alternative label | establishment_means |
| description | Statement about whether an organism or organisms have been introduced to a given place and time through the direct or indirect activity of modern humans. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has exact match | Establishment Means |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
taxonomic status
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#taxonomic_status |
| preferred label | taxonomic status |
| alternative label | taxonomic_status |
| description | The status of the use of the scientificName as a label for the taxon in regard to the ‘accepted (or valid) taxonomy’. The assigned taxonomic status must be linked to a specific taxonomic reference that defines the concept. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has exact match | Taxonomic Status |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
taxon id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#taxon_id |
| preferred label | taxon id |
| alternative label | taxon_id |
| description | An identifier for the set of taxon information (data associated with the taxon class). May be a global unique identifier or an identifier specific to the data set. Must be resolvable within this dataset. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has exact match | Taxon ID |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | taxon name |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | anyURI |
scientific name
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#scientific_name |
| preferred label | scientific name |
| alternative label | scientific_name |
| description | The full scientific name, with authorship and date information if known. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has exact match | Scientific Name |
| has unique identifier | scientific name id |
| is unique identifier for | taxon |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
scientific name id
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#scientific_name_id |
| preferred label | scientific name id |
| alternative label | scientific_name_id |
| description | An identifier for the set of taxon information (data associated with the taxon class). May be a global unique identifier or an identifier specific to the data set. Must be resolvable within this dataset. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has exact match | Scientific Name ID |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | scientific name |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | anyURI |
taxon
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#taxon |
| preferred label preferred label | taxon taxon |
| alternative label alternative label | taxon taxon |
| description description | A circumscribed set of organisms. A group of organisms assumed to form a homogeneous unit with regard to associated trait measurements. |
| computational entity computational entity | database entry database column |
| organizedInClass | taxa table |
| has exact match | Taxon |
| has broader |
Entity Characteristic |
| has unique identifier |
taxon name scientific name scientific name id taxon id |
| has identifier |
original taxon name trinomial binomial genus family |
| has property |
taxon distribution establishment means |
| created created | 1-Feb-24 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
contributors table
last name
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#last_name |
| preferred label | last name |
| alternative label | last_name |
| description | Last name of the data collector. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contributors table |
| has exact match | family name |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | contributor |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | Name |
given name
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#given_name |
| preferred label | given name |
| alternative label | given_name |
| description | Given names of the data collector. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contributors table |
| has exact match | given name |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | contributor |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | Name |
ORCID identifier
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#ORCID |
| preferred label | ORCID identifier |
| alternative label | ORCID |
| description | ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) for the data collector, if available. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contributors table |
| has exact match | ORCID identifier |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | contributor |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | anyURI |
affiliation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#affiliation |
| preferred label | affiliation |
| alternative label | affiliation |
| description | Affiliation of data collector. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contributors table |
| has exact match | has Contributor Affiliation |
| is annotation of | contributor |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
additional role
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#additional_role |
| preferred label | additional role |
| alternative label | additional_role |
| description | Any additional roles the data collector had in the study, a field most frequently used to identify which data contributor is the contact person for the dataset. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | contributors table |
| has exact match | Contributor Role |
| is annotation of | contributor |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
identifiers table
identifier type
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#identifier_type |
| preferred label | identifier type |
| alternative label | identifier_type |
| description | The type of identifier whose identifying characters are recorded, referencing globally accepted identifier types. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | identifiers table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | identifier value |
| is identifier for | identifier value |
| of entity | identifier value |
| created | 8-Jun-25 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
institution code
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#institution_code |
| preferred label | institution code |
| alternative label | institution_code |
| description | The name (or acronym) in use by the institution having custody of the object(s) or information referred to by the identifier value. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | identifiers table |
| has exact match | Institution Code |
| has broader | Identifier |
| is unique identifier for | identifier value |
| is identifier for | identifier value |
| of entity | identifier value |
| created | 8-Jun-25 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
identifier value
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#identifier_value |
| preferred label | identifier value |
| alternative label | identifier_value |
| description | A sequence of characters that links an observation within a traits.build database to additional information about observed entity in another database. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | identifiers table |
| has broader | Identifier |
| has identifier | https://w3id.org/traits.build#identifier_type, institution_code |
| created | 8-Jun-25 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
definitions table
trait concept
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#trait |
| preferred label | trait concept |
| alternative label | trait |
| description | A collection of trait values pertaining to a distinct characteristic of a specific part of an organism (cell, tissue, organ, or whole organism). |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | definitions table |
| has exact match | Standard |
| has unique identifier | trait identifier |
| has annotation |
trait name label |
| has property |
max allowed values min allowed values allowed categorical values units type |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
trait identifier
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#trait_concept_URI |
| preferred label | trait identifier |
| alternative label | trait_concept_URI |
| description | Unique identifier of the trait according to a public ontology, or a user-provided thesaurus of traits. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | definitions table |
| has exact match |
traitID identifier |
| is unique identifier for | trait concept |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | anyURI |
label
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#label |
| preferred label | label |
| alternative label | label |
| description | A concise English label for the trait. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | definitions table |
| has exact match |
label preferred label trait |
| refers to | trait concept |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
description
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#description |
| preferred label | description |
| alternative label | description |
| description | A short description, generally ranging from 1-3 sentences that clearly indicates the trait’s scope. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | definitions table |
| has exact match |
traitDescription description |
| is annotation of | trait concept |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
max allowed values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#allowed_values_max |
| preferred label | max allowed values |
| alternative label | allowed_values_max |
| description | An upper boundary for accepted numerical values. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | definitions table |
| has exact match | maxAllowedValue |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | decimal |
min allowed values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#allowed_values_min |
| preferred label | min allowed values |
| alternative label | allowed_values_min |
| description | A lower boundary for accepted numerical values. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | definitions table |
| has exact match | minAllowedValue |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | decimal |
units
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#units |
| preferred label | units |
| alternative label | units |
| description | The preferred units for the trait, conforming to the Unified Code for Units of Measure (UCUM). There are often two entries for units, one that is a string and the second which links to a units of measurement axiom. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | definitions table |
| has exact match | expectedUnit |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
allowed categorical values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#allowed_values_levels |
| preferred label | allowed categorical values |
| alternative label | allowed_values_levels |
| description | Allowed trait values for a categorical trait, including a brief description of the value. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | definitions table |
| has exact match |
has narrower factorLevels |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
type
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#type |
| preferred label | type |
| alternative label | type |
| description | Type of trait, specifying if traits are categorical, numeric, or ordinal. |
| computational entity | database column |
| organizedInClass | definitions table |
| has exact match | valueType |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
| datatype | string |
Database Table Entries
Single, implicitly structured data items in a table.
context
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#context |
| preferred label | context |
| alternative label | context |
| description | The situation within which a trait measurement is made, which can help explain the measured trait value. |
| computational entity | database entry |
| has broader | Entity |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
entity
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#entity |
| preferred label | entity |
| alternative label | entity |
| description | An entity is an object (e.g., a tree, a community, an ecological process). Entities constitute the foci of observations, i.e., every observation is of exactly one entity. |
| computational entity | database entry |
| has exact match | Entity |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
individual
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#individual |
| preferred label | individual |
| alternative label | individual |
| description | An individual living organism. |
| computational entity | database entry |
| has exact match | organism |
| has broader | Entity |
| has context | life stage |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
location
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#location |
| preferred label | location |
| alternative label | location |
| description | A spatial region or named place. |
| computational entity | database entry |
| has exact match | location |
| has broader | Entity |
| has unique identifier | location id |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
method context
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#method_context |
| preferred label | method context |
| alternative label | method_context |
| description | A compment of a trait measurement protocol that is changed between individual trait measurements and might cause the measured trait values of individuals or populations to change. |
| computational entity | database entry |
| has broader |
Entity contexts table |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
plot context
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#plot |
| preferred label | plot context |
| alternative label | plot |
| description | A subdivision of a location, designated because some properties differ across plots within a location, which might cause differences in measured trait values between plots. |
| computational entity | database entry |
| has broader |
Entity contexts table |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
population
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#population |
| preferred label | population |
| alternative label | population |
| description | A collection of organisms, all of the same species, that live in the same place. |
| computational entity | database entry |
| has exact match | population |
| has broader | Entity |
| has context | life stage |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
temporal context
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#temporal_context |
| preferred label | temporal context |
| alternative label | temporal_context |
| description | A situation or process that varies across time and might cause the measured trait values of individuals or populations to change across time. |
| computational entity | database entry |
| has broader |
Entity contexts table |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
treatment context
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#treatment |
| preferred label | treatment context |
| alternative label | treatment |
| description | An experimental manipulation that subjects different individuals or populations to different conditions, which can lead to differences in measured trait values across treatments. |
| computational entity | database entry |
| has broader |
Entity contexts table |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
Rows within a database table
Rows or clusters of rows within a database table that represent measurements, observations or observation collections.
dataset
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#dataset |
| preferred label | dataset |
| alternative label | dataset |
| description | 13 relational tables and lists containing all data about a dataset. |
| computational entity | database |
| has exact match | Observation Collection |
| has unique identifier | dataset id |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
measurement
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#measurement |
| preferred label | measurement |
| alternative label | measurement |
| description | A measurement is an assertion that a characteristic of an entity had a particular value with respect to an observation event. |
| computational entity | database row |
| has exact match | Measurement |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
measurement of entity context property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#measurement_of_entity_context_property |
| preferred label | measurement of entity context property |
| alternative label | measurement_of_entity_context_property |
| description | A measurement made on an entity context property. |
| computational entity | database row |
| has broader | Measurement |
| has unique identifier | entity context id |
| measurement for | observation of entity context |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
measurement of location property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#measurement_of_location_property |
| preferred label | measurement of location property |
| alternative label | measurement_of_location_property |
| description | A measurement made on a location property. |
| computational entity | database row |
| has broader | Measurement |
| has value | location property value |
| measurement for |
observation of location observations at location |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
measurement of plot context property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#measurement_of_plot_context_property |
| preferred label | measurement of plot context property |
| alternative label | measurement_of_plot_context_property |
| description | A measurement made on a plot context property. |
| computational entity | database row |
| has broader | Measurement |
| has unique identifier | plot context id |
| measurement for | observation of plot context |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
measurement of temporal context property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#measurement_of_temporal_context_property |
| preferred label | measurement of temporal context property |
| alternative label | measurement_of_temporal_context_property |
| description | A measurement made on a temporal context property. |
| computational entity | database row |
| has broader | Measurement |
| has unique identifier | temporal context id |
| measurement for | observation of temporal context |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
measurement of treatment context property
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#measurement_of_treatment_context_property |
| preferred label | measurement of treatment context property |
| alternative label | measurement_of_treatment_context_property |
| description | A measurement made on a treatment context property. |
| computational entity | database row |
| has broader | Measurement |
| has unique identifier | treatment context id |
| has value | context property value |
| measurement for | observation of a treatment context |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observation |
| preferred label | observation |
| alternative label | observation |
| description | An Observation is a collection of measurements made at a single point in time. In traits.build it is the subset of rows within the traits data that are made on the same entity and share the same observation_id. |
| comment | An observation is an assertion that an entity (e.g., biological organisms, geographic locations, or environmental features, among others) was observed by an observer. An observation primarily serves to group a set of measurements together into a single "observation event". Observations are often made within a broader context. The context of an observation is given by other observations, implying that an observed entity (and specifically each corresponding measurement) contextualizes another observed entity (and its corresponding measurements). For example, an observation associated with a location may serve as context for an observation associated with an organism. In this case, the observed characteristic values of the location (such as humidity) are assumed constant for the corresponding measurements of the organism. |
| computational entity | database table |
| has exact match | Observation |
| has unique identifier | observation id |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observation of entity context
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observation_of_entity_context |
| preferred label | observation of entity context |
| alternative label | observation_of_entity_context |
| description | Observation where entity is a category of context indicating repeat observations have been made on an individual, population or species-level entity across time which might affect the entity’s measured trait values. |
| computational entity | database table |
| has broader | Observation |
| has unique identifier | entity context id |
| of entity |
individual population taxon |
| has measurement | measurement of entity context property |
| characteristic for | entity context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observation of location
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observation_of_location |
| preferred label | observation of location |
| alternative label | observation_of_location |
| description | Observation of location properties at a single location. |
| computational entity | database table |
| has broader | Observation |
| has unique identifier | location id |
| of entity | location |
| has measurement | measurement of location property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observation of plot context
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observation_of_plot_context |
| preferred label | observation of plot context |
| alternative label | observation_of_plot_context |
| description | Observation where entity is a category of context indicating variation across plots at a single location might affect the trait values measured on individual or population-level entities. |
| computational entity | database table |
| has broader | Observation |
| has unique identifier | plot context id |
| of entity | plot context |
| has measurement | measurement of plot context property |
| characteristic for | plot context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observation of temporal context
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observation_of_temporal_context |
| preferred label | observation of temporal context |
| alternative label | observation_of_temporal_context |
| description | Observation where entity is a category of context indicating repeat observations have been made on a plot, which might affect the trait values measured on individual or population-level entities. |
| comment |
Examples of temporal contexts are sampling season, sampling time of day, and sequential observation numbers without any linked categorical description.
|
| computational entity | database table |
| has broader | Observation |
| has unique identifier | temporal context id |
| of entity | temporal context |
| has measurement | measurement of temporal context property |
| characteristic for | temporal context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observation of a treatment context
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observation_of_treatment_context |
| preferred label | observation of a treatment context |
| alternative label | observation_of_treatment_context |
| description | Observation where entity is a context indicating experimental manipulations that might affect the trait values measured on an individual, population or species-level entities. |
| comment | Examples include growing temperature, growing CO2 concentrations, and nutrient amendments. |
| computational entity | database table |
| has broader | Observation |
| has unique identifier | treatment context id |
| of entity | treatment context |
| has measurement | measurement of treatment context property |
| characteristic for | treatment context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observations at location
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observations_at_location |
| preferred label | observations at location |
| alternative label | observations_at_location |
| description | Observation collection of location properties and organismal traits at a single location. |
| computational entity | database table |
| has broader | Observation Collection |
| has unique identifier | location id |
| of entity |
location population individual |
| has measurement |
measurement of location property trait measurement |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observations from dataset
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observations_from_dataset |
| preferred label | observations from dataset |
| alternative label | observations_from_dataset |
| description | Observation collection encompassing all observations that comprise a dataset. |
| computational entity | database table |
| has broader | Observation Collection |
| has unique identifier | dataset id |
| of entity | dataset |
| has measurement |
trait measurement measurement of location property measurement of treatment context property measurement of plot context property measurement of entity context property measurement of temporal context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observations from source
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observations_from_source |
| preferred label | observations from source |
| alternative label | observations_from_source |
| description | Observation collection encompassing all observations for a single published or unpublished source. |
| computational entity | database table |
| has broader | Observation Collection |
| has unique identifier | source id |
| of entity | source primary citation |
| has measurement |
trait measurement measurement of location property measurement of treatment context property measurement of plot context property measurement of entity context property measurement of temporal context property |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observations of individual
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observations_of_individual |
| preferred label | observations of individual |
| alternative label | observations_of_individual |
| description | Observation collection encompassing all observations on a single individual. |
| computational entity | database table |
| has broader | Observation Collection |
| has unique identifier | individual id |
| of entity | individual |
| has measurement | trait measurement |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observations of population
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observations_of_population |
| preferred label | observations of population |
| alternative label | observations_of_population |
| description | Observation collection encompassing all observations on a single population. |
| computational entity | database table |
| has broader | Observation Collection |
| has unique identifier | population id |
| of entity | population |
| has measurement | trait measurement |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
observations of taxon
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#observations_of_taxon |
| preferred label | observations of taxon |
| alternative label | observations_of_taxon |
| description | Observation collection encompassing all observations on a single taxon within a single dataset. |
| comment | An observation collection is a container for a set of observations. |
| computational entity | database table |
| has broader | Observation Collection |
| has unique identifier | taxon name |
| of entity | taxon |
| has measurement | trait measurement |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
trait measurement
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| URI | w3id.org/traits.build#trait_measurement |
| preferred label | trait measurement |
| alternative label | trait_measurement |
| description | A measurement made on a trait. |
| computational entity | database row |
| has broader | Measurement |
| has value | value |
| measurement for |
observation observations from dataset observations from source observations of taxon observations at location observations of population observations of individual |
| created | 1-Feb-24 |
| is in scheme | w3id.org/traits.build |
3. Acknowledgements
We are grateful to S Cox, J Smillie, K Levett, M Barlow, and C Brady for useful conversations. The AusTraits project received investment (https://doi.org/10.47486/TD044, https://doi.org/10.47486/DP720) from the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). The ARDC is funded by the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
comments
comments